About Nesta

Nesta is an innovation foundation. For us, innovation means turning bold ideas into reality and changing lives for the better. We use our expertise, skills and funding in areas where there are big challenges facing society.

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Alex Gilbert

Head of New Ventures, Strategy Unit

Alex leads on the delivery of Nesta's Mission Studio.

Alex joined Nesta having spent the previous nine years delivering start-up engagement and innovation projects across the corporate, social enterprise, start-up and charity sectors.

Previously, as Head of Acceleration at Wayra and COO at corporate innovation specialist L Marks, she led partnerships with the likes of Lloyd’s of London, IAG, BMW, Bupa, John Lewis, EDF, Centrica and Arsenal Football Club and delivered over 30 start-up engagement programmes in the UK, Spain, US and Japan.

Other projects include setting up the first small business accelerator to run on a time banking currency in East London for Economy of Hours.

Alex holds a BA in Politics and a Masters in Human Rights Law, both from Nottingham University. When not working, she can be found on long walks down the Thames, watching films or daydreaming about hopping on a plane to Seville.